The Rev. Darryl Womack took a break - of sorts - for the past two and a half years and served as a student ministries pastor.

But he said God called him to step back into the pulpit and lead a new congregation.

The 25-year veteran pastor was formerly at Air Line Baptist Church and is now the senior pastor at Montgomery Memorial Baptist in Gainesville.

"I had gone there (Air Line Baptist) as a respite from being senior pastor, so this isn't my first go-around as being full-time senior pastor," Womack said. "During the time as the student ministries pastor, I decided it was time to get back into full-time ministry and went through the channels to get my name back out there."

He said leaving Air Line was a difficult decision, but Womack said what made his decision easier was that Montgomery Memorial's congregation is exactly what he was looking for.

"One of the things that I have really learned in my life is that patience is a very good thing because it will bring you what God wants you to have," he said. "So, when we began our talks with the folks here at Montgomery Memorial, God began to place it on my heart that this was exactly what I needed, what God needed for me to do."

Montgomery Memorial has about 200 members who attend Sunday school and 300-plus in worship services. But Womack said he hopes to grow the church even more.

"For a church to grow, you have to grow with families ... our focus will be in bringing those families in," said the Franklin, N.C., native. "Young couples and families are looking for something different than they were 20 years ago and you have to be able to update, change and modify your ministry."

Womack is married to Beverly Womack and is the father of three daughters. He was ordained in 1983 at age 20 and has been in Hall County since 1994, living in the East Hall area. During his career he has been heavily involved in mission work worldwide and has traveled to Moldova many times for service.

Prior Womack's appointment, Montgomery Memorial was pastored by Fulton Boswell for 14 years.

According to church records, Montgomery Memorial was founded in 1905 and was named for Victor Montgomery, who was president of the Gainesville Mill. The church was almost entirely destroyed after a fire in 2000 and was rebuilt in 2002 on Dunlap Street.